Former Allegheny County chief executive James Roddey and former deputy mayor of Pittsburgh Joseph Mistick, last seen sparring over politics on WQED's "On Q," will talk politics on PCNC's "NightTalk" (8 p.m. weeknights) every other Monday beginning next week. WPXI news anchor David Johnson will serve as moderator.
Republican Roddey and Democrat Mistick have not appeared on "On Q" since Mistick wrote a piece for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review this summer that was critical of WQED management following the layoffs of nine staffers and rumors of dissatisfaction with WQED in Pittsburgh's foundation community. Roddey is a former chairman of the WQED board of directors.
Last month at WQED Multimedia's annual board meeting, chief operating officer Deborah Acklin said she specifically told the station's top production executive that Mistick's op-ed piece should have no bearing on whether or not Roddey and Mistick continued on "On Q."
PCNC station manager Mark Barash said he and the pair approached each another about a new home for their political talk at the same time.
"We've been looking at what they've been doing for a while and we heard there might be a marriage to be made," Barash said. "We heard of each others' interest and got together on it."
"NightTalk" never named a new host after the departure of Ann Devlin in January 2007 although there have been several regulars hosting during the time, including Kevin Miller. Most recently, Mike Romigh has been filling in.
"We are always looking for new talent," Barash said.
Posted
Oct 13 2009, 03:07 PM
by
Rob Owen